Chapter 510

Bear-san, Comes To Euphalia Academy

 

“Ha~a~.”

 

I sighed.

I didn’t think I would get into trouble for not being dressed as a bear. If I was dressed as a bear, I could shrug it off and assume it would happen anyway. I now believe that I was born under a star that gets me into trouble.

 

“So where do you want to play?” (Yuna)

 

We can’t do it here. We’re in a crowded area.

 

“If I win, I’ll give her a proper escort so that we can go to my house, but I want to say something to Shia, so let’s go to the academy. The academy is spacious and will not cause trouble for anyone. There is a bridge over there, so let’s go and cross it.” (Cereille)

 

She’s assuming she has already won.

Well, I wasn’t a chosen member of the magical exchange group, and my arms and palms were so squishy and pudgy that she thought I’d never swung a sword.

 

“Let’s go, Yuna-san” (Noa)

 

Noa grabbed my bear puppet and started walking. I asked Noa…

 

“Noa, you know her?” (Yuna)

“Yes, we’ve met several times. The last time was the birthday celebration of His Majesty the King. I didn’t recognize her immediately because she was wearing a beautiful dress back then.” (Noa)

 

People’s impressions change with their clothes and hairstyles, and it’s hard to recognize them. If I take off my bear costume, the people who have met me before will not recognize me.

 

“Oh, by the way, she also ate the pudding that was served at that time with great relish.” (Noa)

 

She had eaten pudding before.

Back then, the king suddenly told me to make pudding, and I have fond memories of making it all by myself.

 

“So is she strong?” (Yuna)

“I am sorry. I don’t know much about it either. We don’t see each other very often, and we don’t talk about such things.” (Noa)

 

Noa looked apologetic.

They were far apart in age, so it’s no wonder they don’t see each other often enough.

 

“Don’t worry, I just have to win.” (Yuna)

“Oh, you have a strong confidence. I have no intention of losing either.” (Cereille)

 

Cereille, who was walking in front of us, turned her head as if she had heard what we were talking about. She confidently declared so.

But the fact that she has that much confidence must be because she has been practicing since she was very young.

I feel a little guilty when I think that I’d win against her with the cheat power God gave me.

So I will at least use the sword I learned in the game to win the match. I can’t hold a heavy sword without a bear puppet so that it won’t be all me, but I think it’s better than using magic.

 

“I was wondering why you were there, Cereille-sama? Is everything okay at the academy?” (Noa)

“I was just walking because my class today was over. Then I bumped into you.” (Cereille)

“U~u, I’m sorry.” (Noa)

“It’s okay because I met you.” (Cereille)

“But, Cereille-sama has been chosen for this magic exchange, right? Don’t you have to practice magic or something?” (Noa)

“The school grounds are open to the students from the royal capital, and It is not fair of us to practice in a place we are used to until the day of the event.” (Cereille)

 

Certainly, in the case of home and away teams, the school that performs on its home ground would have the advantage.

You have a better chance of winning in any sport if you do it on your home turf. It may be a fair judgment to think so.

 

“So Oneesama is practicing now, then?” (Noa)

“Yeah, I’m sure she’s practicing right now.” (Cereille)

 

Even so, she said we couldn’t see her right away since she’s in the school. She can’t just slip out and come meet us while everyone else is practicing.

But it looks like we’ll see Shia earlier than planned.

 

We come to the bridge.

The bridge extends to the island in the lake.

 

“It’s pretty long, isn’t it?” (Yuna)

 

The bridge leading to the island in the lake stretches out, and a large building can be seen at the end of it.

That seems to be the academy.

 

“Is the academy the only one on the island?” (Yuna)

“No, there are other buildings as well, and some areas are open for sightseeing.” (Cereille)

 

In response to my question, Cereille told me honestly.

Noa ran toward the bridge, eager to see Shia as soon as possible.

I’ve been telling her it’s dangerous to go alone. That’s why she stumbled and bumped into Cereille a while ago.

Cereille and I followed Noa.

 

We crossed over the bridge.

It was a long bridge.

I wouldn’t want to walk around without my bear shoes. Great job to the students who cross this bridge every day.

However, the lack of hills made walking easy, and there was a pleasant breeze. On the other hand, it might be cold in winter.

 

After crossing the bridge and a bit of walking, we arrived at the front of the school.

It was as big as the academy in the royal capital.

 

“But it’s cool that they built it right in the middle of the lake.” (Yuna)

 

Like in the world of games and manga.

 

“When they were planning on building the school, there were buildings around the lake, and the only place available was on the outskirts of town. This meant that students living on the other side of the lake would be far away from the school, so they decided to build it on the island in the lake. Four bridges were built to make it easier for students living in all areas to get to the school.” (Cereille)

 

Cereille tells us how the school came to be.

She’s not a bad girl. Noa doesn’t seem to dislike her. She was conversing with me normally. I don’t dislike her. However, she seems to be a serious and troublesome girl, who has been living her life appropriately, which would not be compatible with me.

 

”Let’s go to Shia first. She would love to see you too, Noire.” (Cereille)

“Yes, I also want to see Oneesama.” (Noa)

 

Noah was happy to see Shia for the first time in a while. Perhaps we would have to play in public?

And that’s what bothers me.

Unable to speak of such a thing, we walked over to the field where Shia and the other students were practicing.

On the grounds, about ten students were wearing the same uniform as mine who were releasing magic.

 

“It’s Oneesama.” (Noa)

 

Noa pointed to Shia, who had golden twin-tailed hair.

 

“Good thing they were on the grounds over here.” (Cereille)

“Cereille-sama, can I go there?” (Noa)

“I don’t want to interrupt the other students’ practice, so let’s just call Shia instead. Please wait for a moment.” (Cereille)

 

Cereille told us to wait here, and then she went for Shia. We saw her talking to Shia. Shia then spoke to a person who looked like a teacher, and then they both came to us.

 

“Yuna-san, you brought Noa. Thank you.” (Shia)

“Thank you for inviting me, Oneesama.” (Noa)

“It’s better to thank Yuna-san. It was Yuna-san who said she would bring you here.” (Shia)

“Is that so? I thought you had asked Yuna-san.” (Noa)

“And so, why are you guys with Cereille?” (Shia)

“I brought both of them here because I wanted to talk to you about it, Shia.” (Cereille)

 

Cereille, who came from behind Shia, declared so.

 

“Why did you let your sister come from the royal capital without an escort, leaving her in the hands of such a student? Didn’t you know it was dangerous?” (Cereille)

“If it’s an escort you’re looking for, she has Yuna-san with her.” (Shia)

 

Shia looked at me.

 

“You too? Why do you trust this student so much? How far do you think it is from the royal capital to the city of Euphalia, let alone inside the city? What would you have done if monsters or bandits had attacked them?” (Cereille)

“In that case, as her escort, Yuna-san will protect her.” (Shia)

 

It seems that Shia and Cereille’s opinion of me has a 180-degree difference.

 

“Shia seems to trust her too. Is she that strong that she can be trusted that much?” (Cereille)

“There is no one I know who is as trustworthy and as strong as Yuna-san.” (Shia)

 

Shia proudly declared.

 

“I understand. If you insist, I’ll let Shia be a witness. I will have a match with her. I will be Noire’s escort while she’s in the city if I win. And when she leaves, she will return with Shia and the others.” (Cereille)

“Etto, what does that supposed to mean?” (Shia)

 

Shia, not understanding the situation, turned to Noa and me as if asking for an explanation.

Noa and I explained briefly.

 

“Ah, I see. You mean you don’t acknowledge Yuna-san as Noa’s escort.” (Shia)

 

Finally, she seemed convinced.

 

“Shia, please say something.” (Yuna)

“Isn’t that impossible?” (Shia)

 

Shia said, looking at Cereille, who was adamant and refused to bend her opinion.

After all, she has this kind of personality. It seems I have to give up and just play with her.

 

‘Well then, Yuna, wasn’t it? Let us see what you are capable of. Which do you prefer, magic or sword? I will let you choose.” (Cereille)

“Then, with swords.” (Yuna)

 

As I had thought beforehand, we would have a sword match. That way, I would feel less guilty when I win than if I used magic.

 

“I understand. A sword match. Do you have a practice sword? If you don’t have one, we can get one for you. Even if it’s for practice, it’s better to use a sword that you are familiar with.” (Cereille)

 

A practice sword? I thought about it for a minute.

A wooden stick I picked up a long time ago? I still have it in my bear box without throwing it away. I also have a wooden sword of some kind made from wood that I used to teach new adventurers. (Episode 290.5 about teaching swords to new adventurers is in the book)

I took out my wooden sword.

 

“A wooden stick?” (Cereille)

“It would be safer than a regular sword.” (Yuna)

 

There were practice iron swords with blunted blades. But it’s still made of iron.

 

“Very well. If you don’t mind, would you lend it to me too. Do you have another one?” (Cereille)

 

I took another wooden sword out of the bear box and handed it to Cereille.

 

“That strange-faced glove is an item bag, isn’t it?” (Cereille)

“It’s a bear.” (Yuna)

 

I showed my bear puppet to Cereille.

 

“It matches your shoes. It’s bizarre.” (Cereille)

 

Apparently, she also noticed my shoes.

 

“Now then, let’s begin so we can end it early and not get in the other students’ way.” (Cereille)

“Are we perhaps doing it here?” (Yuna)

“Is there a problem?” (Cereille)

 

Of course, there’s a problem. Aside from Shia, there were other students here as well.

 

“Look, if you, a noble, lost to someone like me, wouldn’t there be a problem with your position?” (Yuna)

“Don’t worry about me. I’m not ashamed of losing. Because I’m not going to lose.” (Cereille)

 

I may have to win inconspicuously.

 

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Author’s Note:

The meeting with Shia was earlier than planned.

Next time, we will have a match.